Najifa Farhat is the staff reporter for Watershed Voice. She was formerly based in Missoula, Montana where she attended grad school at the University of Montana, earning her master’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources Journalism.
While studying she had internships with Montana Public Radio, Boulder Monitor, and Flathead Lake Biological Station. Prior to joining WSV, she had a fellowship with Inside Climate News covering the Mountain West. Her interests lie in issues around environment, climate change, energy, and natural resources.
The Sturgis City Commission appointed Justin Wickey as Second Precinct Commissioner, filling a vacancy left by former Second Precinct Commissioner Rodger Moyer.
TRAM works closely with Three Rivers Community Schools to provide both in-school and after-school mentoring. Volunteers — often retired teachers, veterans or other caring community members — meet with children for one hour each week.
Two gunshot victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, authorities say, while a third was listed in critical condition. A fourth individual broke a leg after jumping from a second-story deck in an attempt to escape the gunfire.
Issues began during a road-widening project along U.S. 12, when the village replaced a key section of its water main. The contract for a proposed $12.4 million project to overhaul White Pigeon's water distribution system is expected to be awarded in July.
A round of lead testing across all Three Rivers Community Schools buildings showed the majority of water sources meet state safety standards. However, there were fixtures that tested above new, more stringent lead thresholds and are now scheduled for replacement.